By Joseph John J. Perez
LEGAZPI CITY, June 19 (PIA) -- The Department of Education (DepEd) Bicol) regional office here reminded the public that there is a total ban against smoking in schools.
Albay is attempting to make it to the largest human no-smoking sign category of the Guinness World Records (GWR) as part the province's observance of International No-Smoking Month this June.
The ban on smoking in school is implemented by virtue of Republic Act 9211 also known as the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003.
DepEd Bicol Administrative Office chief Jose Bonto said in an interview during “Aramon Ta Daw” radio program of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Bicol that the smoking ban in schools covers all persons including visitors.
“DepEd issued an order in support of R.A. 9211 prohibiting smoking in all its offices and school campuses,” Bonto said.
Bonto warned that stiff penalties are imposed on violators based on the order.
“We encourage the public to report to us the students and especially teachers, DepEd officials and personnel who are violating the order so that we can take proper actions,” Bonto said.
He revealed that a school principal in Albay was already sanctioned in violating the said order and law.
According to RA 9211, smoking is absolutely prohibited in centers of youth activity such as playschools, preparatory schools, elementary schools, high schools, colleges and universities, youth hostels and recreational facilities for persons under 18 years old.
“Schools and DepED offices have no smoking areas, smoking should be done outside the premises,” Bonto said.
The law also prohibits the sale or distribution of tobacco products within one hundred (100) meters from any point of the perimeter of a school, public playground or other facility frequented particularly by minors.
“We ask assistance from the police, LGU (local government unit) and other enforcement officers since they implement this rule that is outside of our jurisdiction,” Bonto told PIA.
The law was signed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to regulate the packaging, use, sale, distribution and advertisement of tobacco products. It provides penalties for violations which are the following: on the first offense, a fine of not less than P500 but not more than PhP1,000; on the second offense, a fine of not less than P1,000 but not more than P5,000; and on the third offense, in addition to a fine of not less than P5,000 but not more than P10,000, the business permits and licenses to operate shall be cancelled or revoked.
As part of DepEd Bicol’s advocacy against smoking, it committed its full support to Albay’s attempt for the world’s largest human no smoking sign which targets to gather 13,000 people in a formation inside the Bicol University’s football field on Friday, June 28 at seven in the morning.
Albay assistant schools division superintendent Bebiano Sentillas issued a memorandum to all division superintendents, supervisors, coordinators, school heads and teachers to send 3,250 DepEd personnel to take part of the historic event.
According to Smoke-Free Albay Network (SFAN), aside from DepEd Albay Division, another 6,876 participants will add up to the record led by Bicol University with 3,000 while DepEd Tabaco City will send 225, Computer Arts and Technological College with 209, Pag-asa Aational High School with 75 and Ponso National High School in Polangui with 17. Confirmation from other schools are still coming in, SFAN told PIA.
The event is the highlight in the series of activities that the Provincial Government of Albay (PGA) and SFAN had prepared in celebration of the International No-Smoking Month this June, Albay Governor Jose “Joey” Salceda said.
“(This is) to give relevance and meaning to the implementation of the Albay Smoke-free Ordinance and to educate or to instill awareness on the ill-effects of smoking and its hazards to the environment,” Salceda said.
Borja said that they welcome interested participants for the event. They can contact him at his office at telephone number (052)822-3175, or 0922-8398437 or at his email address hsborja8@yahoo.com. They can also coordinate through Governor Salceda’s office at telefax number (052) 481-2555 or 0908-8660824 or email address albaygovoffice@yahoo.com. Another option is through Add+vantage Community Team Services, Incorporated with telephone numbers (052)435-3003 or 0929-377-2442 or email them at smokefree.magayon@gmail.com or like them at www.facebook.com/SmokeFreeAlbay. (MAL/JJJP-PIA5/Albay)
LEGAZPI CITY, June 19 (PIA) -- The Department of Education (DepEd) Bicol) regional office here reminded the public that there is a total ban against smoking in schools.
Albay is attempting to make it to the largest human no-smoking sign category of the Guinness World Records (GWR) as part the province's observance of International No-Smoking Month this June.
The ban on smoking in school is implemented by virtue of Republic Act 9211 also known as the Tobacco Regulation Act of 2003.
DepEd Bicol Administrative Office chief Jose Bonto said in an interview during “Aramon Ta Daw” radio program of the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Bicol that the smoking ban in schools covers all persons including visitors.
“DepEd issued an order in support of R.A. 9211 prohibiting smoking in all its offices and school campuses,” Bonto said.
Bonto warned that stiff penalties are imposed on violators based on the order.
“We encourage the public to report to us the students and especially teachers, DepEd officials and personnel who are violating the order so that we can take proper actions,” Bonto said.
He revealed that a school principal in Albay was already sanctioned in violating the said order and law.
According to RA 9211, smoking is absolutely prohibited in centers of youth activity such as playschools, preparatory schools, elementary schools, high schools, colleges and universities, youth hostels and recreational facilities for persons under 18 years old.
“Schools and DepED offices have no smoking areas, smoking should be done outside the premises,” Bonto said.
The law also prohibits the sale or distribution of tobacco products within one hundred (100) meters from any point of the perimeter of a school, public playground or other facility frequented particularly by minors.
“We ask assistance from the police, LGU (local government unit) and other enforcement officers since they implement this rule that is outside of our jurisdiction,” Bonto told PIA.
The law was signed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to regulate the packaging, use, sale, distribution and advertisement of tobacco products. It provides penalties for violations which are the following: on the first offense, a fine of not less than P500 but not more than PhP1,000; on the second offense, a fine of not less than P1,000 but not more than P5,000; and on the third offense, in addition to a fine of not less than P5,000 but not more than P10,000, the business permits and licenses to operate shall be cancelled or revoked.
As part of DepEd Bicol’s advocacy against smoking, it committed its full support to Albay’s attempt for the world’s largest human no smoking sign which targets to gather 13,000 people in a formation inside the Bicol University’s football field on Friday, June 28 at seven in the morning.
Albay assistant schools division superintendent Bebiano Sentillas issued a memorandum to all division superintendents, supervisors, coordinators, school heads and teachers to send 3,250 DepEd personnel to take part of the historic event.
According to Smoke-Free Albay Network (SFAN), aside from DepEd Albay Division, another 6,876 participants will add up to the record led by Bicol University with 3,000 while DepEd Tabaco City will send 225, Computer Arts and Technological College with 209, Pag-asa Aational High School with 75 and Ponso National High School in Polangui with 17. Confirmation from other schools are still coming in, SFAN told PIA.
The event is the highlight in the series of activities that the Provincial Government of Albay (PGA) and SFAN had prepared in celebration of the International No-Smoking Month this June, Albay Governor Jose “Joey” Salceda said.
“(This is) to give relevance and meaning to the implementation of the Albay Smoke-free Ordinance and to educate or to instill awareness on the ill-effects of smoking and its hazards to the environment,” Salceda said.
Borja said that they welcome interested participants for the event. They can contact him at his office at telephone number (052)822-3175, or 0922-8398437 or at his email address hsborja8@yahoo.com. They can also coordinate through Governor Salceda’s office at telefax number (052) 481-2555 or 0908-8660824 or email address albaygovoffice@yahoo.com. Another option is through Add+vantage Community Team Services, Incorporated with telephone numbers (052)435-3003 or 0929-377-2442 or email them at smokefree.magayon@gmail.com or like them at www.facebook.com/SmokeFreeAlbay. (MAL/JJJP-PIA5/Albay)
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